Ronan’s Romero finishes 4th at state
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HELENA — Ronan’s Danny Romero earned a fourth-place finish at the state Class B cross-country meet last weekend in Helena.
“I was happy to have Danny finish his last season of cross-country with such a strong race. He took off with the front pack and didn’t falter the whole race. At times he has battled with the second mile of his races, but yesterday he ran consistently well the entire race,” head coach Noelle Decker said. “Danny has been an integral part of the Ronan cross-country’s success the past four years and will be some big shoes for us to fill. He is a hard-working kid, and we are sure going to miss him.”
In addition to Romero, the boys’ team will lose Zach Wagner, Payton Adams and Robbie Hocker.
“This was Zach and Payton’s first year running cross-country, and they played a huge role in our team’s success as well, both on the course and off,” Decker said. “They were leaders by nature and took on that responsibility throughout the season. Robbie was our final senior boy on the team, and I can’t say enough positive things about this kid. He is a hard worker and such a positive role model for the other runners. We were fortunate enough this year on the boys’ team to be about seven runners deep all year long, with Robbie right in the mix of it.”
Rhett Duffey, Jaden McNair and JT Probst will all be back next year. “Our boy’s squad is going to depend on their leadership and off-season training, as well as recruiting of younger athletes,” Decker noted. “We also will have Jarred Dupuis, Ethen Sheumaker and Trae Garcia back next season. These three also came on strong at the end of the season, and I look forward to having them back as well.”
On the girls’ side of our team, we are only going to lose one senior girl, Victoria Crenshaw. Victoria finished the season going to state as a senior and was a quiet, but positive addition to the team for the past few years.
The Maidens were led by junior Kiana Howell, who finishd in 39th place.
“She ran a strong race and she has set some goals for herself in the next year,” Decker said. “Jacey Probst, only a freshman, ran most of the season in our secondnd slot and has a great work ethic, so I am tickled we have her three more years.”
Jade Grey, Angela North Piegan, Darian Delaurenti and Lindsey Rogers rounded out Ronan’s state girls’ team. It was the first state meet for all of them except Jade Gray.
“They all ran well and will know what to expect next year,” Decker said. “It was great for them to get a taste of the experience and atmosphere of the state meet, leaving them excited for the next season to come, setting some team and individual goals.”
While her girls’ team is young, Decker said the athletes don’t lack talent.
“These girls have come a long way this year in finishing 12th overall at state,” she said. “My hope is to get them all back next year, healthy and in shape a bit more before the season starts.”
